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On one end of the scale, we have Chromebooks that are capable of playing games purchased through Steam, as well as one model in particular that is completely modifiable. However, many of the possibilities that get our creative juices flowing are not the most optimal answers for the majority of individuals who are seeking for the best Chromebook.
We may breathe a sigh of relief because the market is flooded with more conventional choices, many of which feature foldable or convertible designs, extended battery life, and reliable overall performance. The HP Chromebook x360 13b is making an effort to insert itself into the discussion at this point. The x360 13b is the first Chromebook to be powered by MediaTek’s Kompanio 1200, making it the first Chromebook not to rely on Intel for its processing power.
HP Chromebook x360 13b Specifications
There are Chromebooks that can run Steam games, and one model in particular is designed to be totally modifiable. These Chromebooks are at one extreme of the spectrum.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-10110U |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 128GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 3.65 lbs |
| Ports | 2 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x headphone jack |
HP Chromebook x360 13b: Design
When compared to last year’s HP Dragonfly Elite Chromebook, the Chromebook x360 13b’s design doesn’t stand out as particularly noteworthy. The shell is constructed from recycled aluminium and plastic that would have ended up in the water. The soft-textured finish is pleasant to touch at first, but fingerprint smudges will quickly become visible.
First off, HP’s display is very unremarkable, coming in at 13.3 inches with a dismal 16:9 aspect ratio and a maximum brightness of just 250 nits. Fortunately (pardon the pun), HP went with a glossy surface for the screen, which still looks nicer than the majority of Chromebooks’ matte screens. A 720p webcam, along with a physical camera privacy shutter, is always a welcome addition to any new Chromebook we receive. This one is no exception, being housed in the top bezel of the display. You can buy this chromebook from its official website
HP Chromebook x360 13b: Display
The HP Chromebook x360 13b has a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen display, so everything looks crisp and clear. The touchscreen enhances the Chromebook’s adaptability and enables new modes of user interaction, such as the use of gestures and a stylus. The screen’s true colours and decent viewing angles make it a pleasure to look at while doing everything from browsing the web to watching movies to working on a paper.
The image on the display will look the same from any angle thanks to the in-plane switching (IPS) technology. Because of this, it’s an excellent option for collaborative projects or information exchange. There is a happy medium between portability and usability with the 13.3-inch display. It’s portable, has a large enough display for serious work, and doesn’t weigh too much. You can buy this laptop from its official website
HP Chromebook x360 13b: Software
Those familiar with Chrome OS devices will have no trouble understanding what’s going on. Because the OS cannot be changed, all versions are essentially the same (apart from minor adjustments made by manufacturers to ensure compatibility with their own hardware and applications). Your satisfaction with ChromeOS’s software will depend on your expectations. Many apps won’t look great on the screen or operate effectively because they are confined to what is available on Android and Linux, with a few PWAs thrown in. That doesn’t mean you can’t get by, but maybe buying necessities isn’t high on your to-do list right now.
HP Chromebook x360 13b: Performance
It’s surprising to say this about a device powered by an ARM processor, but the HP Chromebook x360 13b really shines when it comes to performance. The battery life is great, for one thing, because the power consumption is very low. However, this is nothing new for ARM; what is unexpected is how competitive the Kompanio 1380 is with other processor architectures.
Surprisingly, having numerous tabs open in the browser didn’t slow me down, and the same was true of Linux and Android apps. In spite of my preference for PWAs, it’s good to know that the MediaTek Kompanio 1380 and 8 GB of RAM provide a competitive app experience on Chromebooks. The UI is quite easy to use, and there are no hiccups that stand out. Apps on Android generally launch quickly, while on Linux they typically don’t take more than a few seconds. Chrome can get bogged down if you have a lot of tabs and applications open at once, but it works OK for my typical workday.
HP Chromebook x360 13b: Battery Life
One of the main selling points of Chromebooks with mobile processors is their long battery life. There is no performance bottleneck caused by Intel’s Celeron or Pentium processors on the Chromebook x360 13b. Instead, it has a large amount of juice and can go without charging for several hours. HP claims that you may get up to 16 hours of use out of this Chromebook on a single charge.
We’re happy to report that it almost lives up to those expectations. The x360 13b’s battery life has never made it through a full 16 hours of testing, although with light to moderate use, it can survive for days on end. Furthermore, HP integrated rapid charging into the Chromebook x360 13b, allowing for a 50% charge in just 45 minutes.
Price and Availability
There are several distinct avenues through which one may acquire the HP Chromebook x360 13b. The product that we are evaluating may be purchased directly from HP for the price of $490. It comes equipped with a backlit keyboard, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage space, and a Kompanio 1380 processor. There is an additional version that has a Kompanio 1200 that is a little bit less powerful, along with 4GB of RAM and 12GB of storage space.
For between $450 and $509, you have the option of purchasing either model with or without a lighted keyboard. The fact that discounts are frequently offered on these kinds of products makes the x360 13b an even more attractive purchase option.
Final Words
The HP Chromebook x360 13b is clearly more on the low-end than the high-end, with only 4GB of RAM, no HDMI connector, and no pen for writing, drawing, or taking notes. This Chromebook, despite its flaws, is serviceable. It boasts decent processing speed, a decent display and keyboard, and a practical 2-in-1 form factor.
HP Chromebook x360 13b review: The good and The bad
A Convertible with Easy Access. There are only 4 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), there is no HDMI port, and there is no stylus included for writing, doodling, or taking notes on the device.
The Good
- Lightweight and convertible design
- Keyboard is comfortable to type on
The Bad
- No fingerprint scanner
Questions and Answers
Dual Bang & Olufsen up-firing speakers provide high-quality sound. The battery life was average for a Chromebook, but still satisfactory. I worked continuously for six hours and twenty-four minutes, on average.
You may access online versions of Microsoft Office products like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with little effort. Chromebooks come preloaded with Google’s suite of productivity apps, including Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making them ideal for getting work done quickly and efficiently.